County legislators from New York talk about their decision to prohibit the procurement, acquisition, storage, handling, treatment, processing, application or disposal of all treated or untreated oil and gas drilling waste byproducts in their respective counties.

At least 10 New York counties have passed bans on the improper re-use and/or disposal of fracking waste. Ulster, Oneida, Tompkins, and Orange Counties have prohibited road spreading of fracking waste, and Nassau County has prohibited the acceptance of such waste at wastewater treatment facilities. Westchester, Putnam, Rockland, Albany, and Suffolk Counties have prohibited both road spreading and acceptance of fracking waste at wastewater treatment plants.

Held on September 28, 2012, this program provided guidance on how municipal officials can use their local land use tools to effectively plan for the potential introduction of high volume hydraulic fracturing (HVHF) in their communities. Panels discussed state regulation of HVHF, water withdrawal concerns, preemption and home rule litigation, effective land use controls, municipal ethics, and opportunities for training. The panels included practicing attorneys, planners, academics and scholars.

Short window of opportunity for residents to “intervene” on proposed pipeline.

Impacted landowners, community members, business owners and public officials have until July 17, 2013 to “intervene” with the Federal Regulatory Commission (FERC) on the matter of the proposed Constitution Pipeline. Those who intervene become an integral part of the review process. While interveners have no obligation, the process of intervening established the necessary framework for taking actions, if necessary, against the pipeline company. ALL AREA RESIDENTS, BUSINESSES, AND TOWN AND VILLAGE BOARDS SHOULD INTERVENE. Those who do not intervene significantly limit their options for protecting their property, and their community, from the pipeline.

Stop the Pipeline’s Schoharie Action Committee will be conducting door-to-door visits along the proposed pipeline the week of July 8th to assist people with the intervention process.

The Center for Sustainable Rural Communities, located at 296 Main Street in Richmondville, NY will hold special training sessions to assist people wishing to intervene on Thursday July 11th from 10 AM until 2 PM, Friday July 12thfrom 6 PM until 8 PM and Saturday July 13th from 9 AM until 12 PM. The Center will provide high speed Internet access, computer terminals and volunteers to assist individuals and group in registering with FERC.

The Center for Sustainable Rural Communities is also offering consultation to Town, Village and County boards who wish to intervene. Public officials can contact the Center at 518-872-3903or via email: info@ruralcommunities.org.